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Comment
. 2020 Jun;75(6):405-407.
doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.03.029. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Respirators and surgical facemasks for COVID-19: implications for MRI

O M Murray  1 , J M Bisset  1 , P J Gilligan  1 , M M Hannan  2 , J G Murray  3
Affiliations
Comment

Respirators and surgical facemasks for COVID-19: implications for MRI

O M Murray et al. Clin Radiol. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

  1. •

    Respirators used for COVID-19 protection have not been tested for MR safety.

  2. •

    Three of four respirators tested contained ferromagnetic components.

  3. •

    These respirators are ‘MR unsafe’.

  4. •

    Respirators used for COVID-19 protection should be reviewed locally for MR safety.

  5. •

    Surgical masks offer a WHO approved safe alternative for MR staff.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Gradient-echo images (197 ms repetition time, 4.76 ms echo time, 70° flip angle) showing artefacts on images of a phantom due to respirators and a facemask. (a) 3M Aura Respirator 1863. Extensive bilateral artefact from the ferromagnetic staples on the retaining straps. (b) Kolmi Respirator FFP2. Extensive anterior artefact from the ferromagnetic components of the respirator. (c) Kolmi Respirator FFP3. Extensive anterior artefact from the ferromagnetic components of the respirator. (d) Halyard Respirator FFP2. Minimal anterior artefact on the phantom. (e) Dahlhausen Surgical Mask. Minimal anterior artefact from the aluminium nose bridge.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

Comment on

  • ACR guidance document on MR safe practices: 2013.
    Expert Panel on MR Safety; Kanal E, Barkovich AJ, Bell C, Borgstede JP, Bradley WG Jr, Froelich JW, Gimbel JR, Gosbee JW, Kuhni-Kaminski E, Larson PA, Lester JW Jr, Nyenhuis J, Schaefer DJ, Sebek EA, Weinreb J, Wilkoff BL, Woods TO, Lucey L, Hernandez D. Expert Panel on MR Safety, et al. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Mar;37(3):501-30. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24011. Epub 2013 Jan 23. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013. PMID: 23345200

References

    1. World Health Organization . 11 March 2020. Virtual press conference on COVID-19.https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/transcripts/who-aud... Available at:
    1. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control . February 2020. Guidance for wearing and removing personal protective equipment in healthcare settings for the care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/COVID-19-guidan... Available at:
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . 10 March 2020. Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare settings.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-reco... Available at:
    1. Food and Drug Administration . 11 March 2020. N95 respirators and surgical masks (face masks)https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infect... Available at:
    1. Kanal E., Barkovich A.J., Bell C. ACR guidance document on MR safe practices: 2013. Expert Panel on MR Safety. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013;37(3):501–530. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24011. - DOI - PubMed